Garza, Brewers shut out Reds, end 4-game slide

CINCINNATI (AP) — Matt Garza threw a two-hitter for his fourth career shutout, and the Milwaukee Brewers ended their four-game losing streak by beating the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 on Saturday night.

Despite a slump that matched their longest of the season, the Brewers maintained the best record in the league and a comfortable lead in the NL Central.

Aramis Ramirez singled home a run in the first inning off Homer Bailey (8-5), who gave up seven hits through eight innings. Two Brewers were thrown out at the plate.

Garza (6-5) has been one of the Brewers' best starters lately, going 4-1 in his last seven games. He retired the first 12 batters in order before Brandon Phillips led off the fifth with a single for Cincinnati's first hit.

He allowed two hits, two walks and fanned nine while going the distance for the first time this season, throwing 111 pitches. It was his first shutout since 2010, when he threw Tampa Bay's first no-hitter for a 5-0 win over Detroit.

It was Milwaukee's sixth shutout of the season. The Reds were blanked for the 10th time.

Right fielder Ryan Braun struck out swinging in the first inning, and then left the game in the second with spasms in his lower back. Braun is batting .289 with 11 homers and a team-leading 49 RBIs. He missed 14 games in May with a strained oblique.

Milwaukee hasn't had much success in Cincinnati lately, dropping 11 of its last 16. The teams have split the first two games of the series, leaving the fourth-place Reds 7 games back. Milwaukee has been alone atop the division since April 9.

Jonathan Lucroy doubled with two outs in the first and scored on Ramirez's single to left. Garza made the run stand up by matching his season high with eight innings. Zack Cozart doubled in the sixth inning, the only Red to reach second base.

The Reds kept it close by nailing a pair of Brewers at the plate.

Ramirez singled with two outs in the sixth and tried to score on Khris Davis' double to right, but shortstop Zack Cozart relayed the throw from Jay Bruce in time to get him sliding in. Mark Reynolds also tried to score from first base on Scooter Gennett's double to right in the seventh, but second baseman Brandon Phillips' relay from Bruce also was on target.